Pilot Certificates

Next time you look up into the wonderful blue sky over Great Bend, Kansas, imagine yourself preparing to get into an airplane for your next flight lesson. Learning to fly is a relaxing skill that creates many new and exciting options.

By becoming a Private Pilot you will be able to go for a nice flight over the city to show your friends and family the bird’s eye view, you will be able to make it to a business meeting in Kansas City in less than half the travel time, or possibly just take a short trip to Hutchison for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Centerline Aviation, LLC is the full service FBO at the Great Bend Airport and the place for you to begin or continue your flight training. Centerline Aviation, LLC specializes in pilot training from Student Pilots to Airline Transport Pilots; including multi-engine training. Open seven days a week our instructors are available to meet your scheduling needs, whatever they may be. Centerline Aviation, LLC provides flight training, aircraft maintenance, aircraft hangars and full service and self service fuel – both 100LL Avgas and Jet A.

Private Pilot

A Private Pilot’s Certificate will allow you to take friends and family anywhere in the world you choose. This is the first step in your aviation training. By becoming a Private Pilot you will be able to fly most single engine airplanes, day or night. Additional training from a qualified Flight Instructor will allow you to fly high performance aircraft, complex aircraft and tailwheel aircraft. To fly multi-engine aircraft additional training and another practical exam is required.

Costs: Private Pilot

Average cost for Private Certificate is $7,500 to $9,000 – Totals vary on actual flight time to complete.

40 hours in aircraft – $4,765

20 hours dual in aircraft – $900

10 hours pre/post briefings with instructor – $450

Private Pilot Kit and books – $260

Knowledge Test (Written Exam) – $200

Headset, Kneeboard, & Charts – $280

Checkride – $550

Instrument Rating

The instrument rating is a great addition to a Private Pilot’s Certificate. It gives you the ability to fly through the clouds, and is useful when you can climb through a layer of clouds to proceed to your destination. The instrument rating will teach you many new skills, you will learn the in’s and out’s of the air traffic control system and gain the ability to fly solely on the flight instruments and navigation systems.

Requirements: Instrument Rating

17 years of age

Private Pilot Certificate

Instrument written exam

FAA Third class medical

50 flight hours PIC cross-country

40 flight hours actual or simulated instrument conditions

15 flight hours dual

250 nm cross-country

Costs: Instrument Rating

45 hours cross-country – $5,360

35 hours simulated instrument – $4,170

35 hours dual flight – $1,575

10 hours pre/post briefings with instructor – $450

Books and charts – $250

Knowledge Test (Written Exam) – $200

Checkride – $550

Total – $12,555

Multi Engine Rating

The multi-engine rating can be added to a Private Pilot’s or Commercial Pilot’s Certificate. The multi-engine training will tone up your flying skills and give you the ability to another class of aircraft. During multi-engine training you will learn how to fly the aircraft with both engines running, as well as with only one engine running. The sight of looking out on the wing and seeing the propeller stopped is quite the experience.

Requirements: Multi Engine Rating

Private Pilot Certificate
* (you can get your initial Private license in a multi– but uncommon)

No written exam

FAA Third class medical

3 hours of preparation for the checkride

Costs: Multi Engine Rating

12 hours multi engine – $2860

10 hours dual flight – $600

5 hours pre/post briefings with instructor – $300

Checkride – $550

Total – $4,310*

*Average cost for Multi Engine Add-On Rating is $4000 – $5000 – Totals vary on actual flight time to complete and if you are instrument rated.

Commercial Pilot

Becoming a Commercial Pilot allows you to receive compensation for flying. Some examples of for hire pilot positions are: Airline Pilot, Cropduster, Flight Instructor, and Skydiver Pilot. This certificate trains you to become the master of the flight controls and maneuver the aircraft in a professional manner. A second class medical is needed if you plan to use your commercial certificate for hire.

Costs: Commercial Pilot

The 250 hours for total time will include the time acquired during the private and instrument training. Depending on how you build this time the costs will vary.

Certified Flight Instructor

To earn your Certified Flight Instructor’s Certificate you must complete intensive training and learn all there is to know about pilot training and be able to teach your knowledge. With your Flight Instructor’s Certificate you will be able to watch the accomplishments and joys from many new pilots as they go through the process of becoming a licensed pilot. The rewards are endless and well worth all the time spent acquiring this certificate. A Flight Instructor’s Certificate allows you to build time while being paid and is a good step for those looking to move on the airlines or another career in aviation.

Requirements: Certified Flight Instructor

18 years of age

Commercial Pilot Certificate and Instrument rating

Instructor and Fundamentals of Instruction written exam

FAA Third class medical

15 flight hours PIC in category and class aircraft for rating sought

Costs: Certified Flight Instructor

15 flight hours – $2,760

15 hours dual – $900

20 hours dual ground – $1200

Writtens – $400

Books – $75

Checkride – $700

Total – $6,035

Airline Transport Pilot

An Airline Transport Pilot Certificate allows you to operate as a captain for an airline or charter company. The ATP Certificate may also be a hiring minimum for some companies. The ATP requires higher flight times and more precise flying skills.

Requirements: Airline Transport Pilot

23 years of age

Commercial Pilot Certificate and Instrument rating

ATP written exam

FAA Third class medical (First class if using certificate)

1500 flight hours total time (including many requirements within that time)

15 flight hours PIC in category and class aircraft for rating sought

Costs: Airline Transport Pilot

5 flight hours – $1200
8 hours dual – $480

Written – $200

Checkride – $600

Total – $2,480

All prices above are an estimate and subject to change. Some of the flight time may be combined to reduce costs. You may require more flight time than the FAA minimums, therefore costing a different amount. A Centerline Aviation, LLC Instructor can give you input on how to combine flight time to keep your costs to a minimum.